United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries, 53148-53149 [05-17708]

Download as PDF 53148 Notices Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 172 Wednesday, September 7, 2005 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request August 31, 2005. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to VerDate Aug<18>2005 15:05 Sep 06, 2005 Jkt 205001 the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Title: Animal Welfare, 9 CFR part 3, Marine Mammals. OMB Control Number: 0579–0115. Summary of Collection: The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (Pub. L. 89–544) enacted August 24, 1966, and amended December 24, 1970 (Pub. L. 91–579); April 22, 1976 (Pub. L. 94–279); and December 23, 1985 (Public Law 99–198) requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to regulate the humane care and handling of most warm-blooded animals, including marine mammals, used for research or exhibition purposes, sold as pets, or transported in commerce. This legislation and its amendments were the result of extensive demand by organized animal welfare groups and private citizens requesting a Federal law to protect such animals. USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Animal Care (AC) has the responsibility to enforce the Animal Welfare Act and the provisions of 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, which implements the Animal Welfare Act. APHIS will collect information through the use of reports and records that are kept for a period of at least one year to ensure that the animals are cared for in the prescribed manner that is required by regulations. Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to ensure compliance with the regulations intended to ensure the humane care and treatment of marine mammals. Without the information, none of the knowledge could be obtained from records, animal health certification would be at risk, and animals exposed to inadequate handling and care could not be properly documented. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions. Number of Respondents: 2,197. Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion; Semi-annually. PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Total Burden Hours: 9,750. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 05–17647 Filed 9–6–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–05–301] United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. Based on a request from the California Strawberry Commission (CSC), AMS is proposing to modify the standards to allow that percentages be determined by count rather than volume. The proposed revision will make tolerance determination more objective and uniform. DATES: Comments must be received by November 7, 2005. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to the Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 1661 South Building, Stop 0240, Washington, DC 20250–0240; Fax (202) 720–8871, E-mail FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov. Comments should make reference to the dates and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours. The United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries are available either through the address cited above or by accessing the Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/ stanfrfv.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L Emery, at the above address or call (202) 720–2185, E-mail Cheri.Emery@usda.gov. E:\FR\FM\07SEN1.SGM 07SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 172 / Wednesday, September 7, 2005 / Notices Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), as amended, directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture ‘‘To develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging and recommend and demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices.’’ AMS is committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural commodities and makes copies of official standards available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or U.S. Import Requirements no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable Programs. AMS is proposing to revise the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries using procedures that appear in part 36, title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These standards were last revised in 1965. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background AMS received a request from the CSC requesting a revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries to allow that percentages be determined by count rather than volume. Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with a revision of the grade standards, AMS decided to seek public comments on the request. On March 11, 2005, AMS published a notice in the Federal Register (70 FR 12175) soliciting comments on a possible revision to the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. In response to our request for comments, AMS received five comments from industry groups. Four comments were in favor of the revision to the standard and one comment was opposed. The comments are available by accessing AMS’s Home Page on the Internet at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ fpbdocketlist.htm. The one comment opposing the revision stated, ‘‘To change to a countbased system would treat berries of varying sizes equally. This may be more expeditious, but from our perspective reduces the relevance and effectiveness of USDA inspections.’’ By changing to a count basis each berry will represent the same percentage of the container regardless of the size of the berry. Currently, each inspector must determine the volume of each berry in relation to the container based on a VerDate Aug<18>2005 15:05 Sep 06, 2005 Jkt 205001 visual estimation. Modifying the standards to allow that percentages be determined by count will provide more objectivity to an inspection. AMS received four comments in favor of the revision. Those in favor of the revision stated the proposed rule change follows changing industry practices and market demand by replacing a subjective volume determination, with a more preferred and easily understood objective measurement. AMS believes the proposed revision to allow percentages to be determined by count rather than volume would establish a clear uniform procedure for determining the percentages. Additionally, AMS is proposing to eliminate the unclassified category. This section is being removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is not a grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the lot. It is no longer considered necessary. The official grade of a lot of strawberries covered by these standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61). This notice provides a 60-day comment period for interested parties to comment on changes to the standard. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627. Dated: September 1, 2005. Lloyd C. Day, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 05–17708 Filed 9–6–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Docket Number FV–04–306] United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice; request for public comment. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), of the Department of Agriculture is soliciting comments on its amended proposal to revise the United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons. AMS received a petition from the National Watermelon Association (NWA), amending a portion of their original petition. NWA’s amended petition is requesting that seedless watermelons be defined as: PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53149 ‘‘Watermelons which have 10 or less mature seeds, not to include pips/ caplets, on the face of the melon which has been cut into four equal sections (one lengthwise cut and one crosswise cut).’’ NWA’s original petition requested that a variance be added to the size requirements. This request remains unchanged. Comments must be received by November 7, 2005. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to the Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 1661 South Building, Stop 0240, Washington, DC 20250–0240; Fax (202) 720–8871, E-mail FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov. Comments should make reference to the dates and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made available for public inspection in the above office during regular business hours. The United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons are available either through the address cited above or by accessing the Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/ standards/standfrfv.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L. Emery, at the above address or call (202) 720–2185; E-mail Cheri.Emery@usda.gov. DATES: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627), as amended, directs and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture ‘‘To develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging and recommend and demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices.’’ AMS is committed to carrying out this authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of agricultural commodities and makes copies of official standards available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or U.S. Import Requirements no longer appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable Programs. AMS is proposing to revise the voluntary United States Standards for Grades of Watermelons using procedures that appear in part 36, title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These standards were last revised in 1978. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\07SEN1.SGM 07SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53148-53149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17708]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket Number FV-05-301]


United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting comments on its proposal to revise the 
United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries. Based on a request 
from the California Strawberry Commission (CSC), AMS is proposing to 
modify the standards to allow that percentages be determined by count 
rather than volume. The proposed revision will make tolerance 
determination more objective and uniform.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 7, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
the Standardization Section, Fresh Products Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 1661 South Building, Stop 
0240, Washington, DC 20250-0240; Fax (202) 720-8871, E-mail 
FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov. Comments should make reference to the dates 
and page number of this issue of the Federal Register and will be made 
available for public inspection in the above office during regular 
business hours. The United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries 
are available either through the address cited above or by accessing 
the Fresh Products Branch Web site at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/
standards/stanfrfv.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheri L Emery, at the above address or 
call (202) 720-2185, E-mail Cheri.Emery@usda.gov.

[[Page 53149]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), as amended, directs and authorizes 
the Secretary of Agriculture ``To develop and improve standards of 
quality, condition, quantity, grade and packaging and recommend and 
demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and 
consistency in commercial practices.'' AMS is committed to carrying out 
this authority in a manner that facilitates the marketing of 
agricultural commodities and makes copies of official standards 
available upon request. The United States Standards for Grades of 
Fruits and Vegetables not connected with Federal Marketing Orders or 
U.S. Import Requirements no longer appear in the Code of Federal 
Regulations, but are maintained by USDA/AMS/Fruit and Vegetable 
Programs.
    AMS is proposing to revise the voluntary United States Standards 
for Grades of Strawberries using procedures that appear in part 36, 
title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36). These 
standards were last revised in 1965.

Background

    AMS received a request from the CSC requesting a revision to the 
United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries to allow that 
percentages be determined by count rather than volume.
    Prior to undertaking research and other work associated with a 
revision of the grade standards, AMS decided to seek public comments on 
the request. On March 11, 2005, AMS published a notice in the Federal 
Register (70 FR 12175) soliciting comments on a possible revision to 
the United States Standards for Grades of Strawberries.
    In response to our request for comments, AMS received five comments 
from industry groups. Four comments were in favor of the revision to 
the standard and one comment was opposed. The comments are available by 
accessing AMS's Home Page on the Internet at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/
fv/fpbdocketlist.htm.
    The one comment opposing the revision stated, ``To change to a 
count-based system would treat berries of varying sizes equally. This 
may be more expeditious, but from our perspective reduces the relevance 
and effectiveness of USDA inspections.'' By changing to a count basis 
each berry will represent the same percentage of the container 
regardless of the size of the berry. Currently, each inspector must 
determine the volume of each berry in relation to the container based 
on a visual estimation. Modifying the standards to allow that 
percentages be determined by count will provide more objectivity to an 
inspection.
    AMS received four comments in favor of the revision. Those in favor 
of the revision stated the proposed rule change follows changing 
industry practices and market demand by replacing a subjective volume 
determination, with a more preferred and easily understood objective 
measurement.
    AMS believes the proposed revision to allow percentages to be 
determined by count rather than volume would establish a clear uniform 
procedure for determining the percentages. Additionally, AMS is 
proposing to eliminate the unclassified category. This section is being 
removed in all standards, when they are revised. This category is not a 
grade and only serves to show that no grade has been applied to the 
lot. It is no longer considered necessary.
    The official grade of a lot of strawberries covered by these 
standards is determined by the procedures set forth in the Regulations 
Governing Inspection, Certification, and Standards of Fresh Fruits, 
Vegetables and Other Products (Sec. 51.1 to 51.61).
    This notice provides a 60-day comment period for interested parties 
to comment on changes to the standard.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.

    Dated: September 1, 2005.
Lloyd C. Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17708 Filed 9-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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